New York Assembly Bill A02546

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/17/25
• Refer: 1/17/25
• Refer: 1/7/26

Caption

Directs the commissioner of transportation to conduct a study on the implementation of traffic control devices at intersections with a high volume of visual and hearing impaired pedestrians.

Summary

A02546 directs the New York State Commissioner of Transportation to study the feasibility and process for installing pedestrian control devices at signalized intersections on state-owned public roads where there may be a high volume of pedestrians with visual or hearing impairments. The bill defines a pedestrian control device as an electronically operated traffic control device with one or more indications that directs pedestrian traffic and helps people who are blind, low-vision, deaf, or hard of hearing cross safely. The required study must estimate how many intersections may need these devices, explain the method used to make that estimate, outline a process for implementation, and identify the expected costs. The commissioner must then submit a report with findings and recommendations to the governor and legislative leaders, as well as the chairs and minority leaders of the relevant transportation committees, no later than December 31 of the year after the bill becomes law.

Impact

If enacted, the bill would not immediately require installation of new devices or change existing traffic control rules; instead, it would create a state-level planning and reporting mandate for the Department of Transportation. It would affect state-owned public roads and intersections with significant numbers of pedestrians with visual or hearing impairments, and could lay the groundwork for future accessibility-related infrastructure investments and policy changes based on the study’s findings.

Sentiment

The bill appears to have a generally supportive, noncontroversial accessibility and safety focus, aimed at improving pedestrian crossing conditions for people with disabilities. Because the available record contains no committee transcript, vote tally, or recorded opposition, there is no evidence of formal debate or division in the materials provided. The measure is framed as a study bill, which often attracts broader support because it gathers information before committing to construction or spending decisions.

Contention

No specific points of contention are documented in the provided materials. Potential issues that could arise, based on the bill’s structure, include the cost of the study, how intersections would be identified as having a high volume of visually or hearing impaired pedestrians, and whether the state should prioritize this work over other transportation accessibility projects. Any disagreement would likely center on implementation logistics, funding, and the scope of the study rather than the underlying goal of improving accessibility.